Our second annual Spring Art Show at Heathrow was the biggest & best yet! Our theme was art from the heART, which focused on kindness and identity projects. Every child in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade had an individual project on display, and possibly more than one, along with collaborative projects with peers! Our Heathrow Knights have grasped that art is not just for art's sake--art has meaning, can be a catalyst for change in the world, and can serve us beyond the page!

Here are some images of the 1,000+ piece art show! THANK YOU to all the dividends who assisted me in directing and creating this event. There are no words for all the appreciation I have. 

With all my heART,
​Ms. Juaristi
(I hope you got a photo with our wacky, 10ft wings, too! Thanks for the inspiration, Kelsey Montague. #whatlistsyou?)

3rd graders are super excited to learn about Joan Miro, a Spanish abstract artist. His celestial shapes, lines, and primary colors were the perfect ingredients to cook up an outer-space roadmap! Students designed an abstract map by using Joan Miro's technique of filled in lines and half-filled shapes, and drew tracks to lead them to celestial bodies. Such a fun way to analyze shape, line, color, form, then critically think to create a unique solution given a designated theme.

What started as a 1st grade EXSTREAM lesson on the continent of Asia, and the country of India, turned into a wide-scale lesson across grade levels. Several grades participated in making a henna hand, or otherwise known as mehndi. Many, many students told me it was their favorite project of the year! The students learn about mehndi originating from ancient India as a form of traditional body art, which is used in celebrations! Many Heathrow students then tell me about their experiences receiving henna at weddings, parties, and during holidays--I even had a student bring me in a henna applicator! Students learn that henna is made from the henna plant, and that it is a paste that dyes the skin. We are in the zone on this one! Enjoy!

In preparation for our Spring Art Show on April 11th (which includes about 450 students' artworks!), I have made a Signup! for Dividends and volunteers who can offer their time during the day, after school, or during/after the event.

Would you like to Dividend to help prepare the art show?
Specific jobs/dates are listed on the Signup below:

http://signup.com/go/g2VrHV

Thanks so much, all! :-)

-Ms Juaristi

3rd, 4th, & 5th graders in select classes worked on collages last week! After viewing Rex Ray's artwork full of painterly textures and organic, blob-like shapes, we created painted papers full of vibrant color. Then, once dried, we used those, regular construction papers, and neon card stock to practice drawing and cutting (that is the tricky part!) organic shapes. We also discussed the differences among geometric, man-made shapes we use often in math and in construction versus organic, nature-made shapes.

3rd & 4th graders have the future in their hands! Students learned about printmaking, and creating a plate to print from. Studying their own individual fingerprints and palms, we discussed how each of our prints would be unique, and our hands could be a symbol of our identity. 

Kindergarten, first, and second graders learned about printmaking this week! Upon reading The Big Orange Spot, a book about being different, and discussion the role of kindness and love in our school to show appreciation for our peers around us, we began our heart printmaking project to show love. Carving relief plates, students then made prints of their hearts using acrylic paints. They ooh'ed and ahh'ed constantly as the print separated from the plate! Students were so excited to learn a new medium in art!

One of my all-time favorite lessons to teach, these clay birds are filled with magic! 3rd and 4th graders studied Emily Dickinson's poem on hope, and we discussed how metaphor is prevalent in art and writing. Students then created their own birds and stamped into them a hope or dream for the future. Upon firing in the kiln, students learn the technique of mishima, where underglaze gets painted on the clay, then scrubbed off, leaving only traces in the designs and stamped words--highlighting the beauty of the texture and their hope/dream!

Aren't these a dream?

5th graders learned about contemporary artist Robert Indiana, known best for his grid-like LOVE sculpture in Philadelphia and New York City. Students could recall seeing other designs inspired by the iconic LOVE piece. Upon learning that Indiana was a writer and believed the word was a powerful work of art, students set out to create their own powerful pieces. Students were instructed to brainstorm on a four letter word that said something you want everyone in the world to have.

From the conventional love also came hope, cash, food, beds, pets, safe (for safety), kind (for kindness), life, and more. Students worked individually, and some classes worked on a larger scale to display at the Spring Art Show. Some fifth graders stated this was their favorite project of the year!

I HOPE these pieces make you feel as much LOVE as they did for me!

Multiple grade levels studied Kirra Jamison, a contemporary abstract painter who works large, colorfully, and with many lines and shapes--perfect for elementary students! This project was particularly interesting for students as they discovered how to draw and paint overlapping shapes and lines. 3rd graders in particular worked with a partner to create a large-scale loop design. See more at the Art Show on April 11th!

I was just as excited as our 5th graders to see what our fancy new crystal gem glazes looked like...and they are AMAZING! Check out those melty, iridescent, gold and multi-colored speckles. So interesting!

Upon review of the contents and origin of clay and the kiln process, 5th graders created a variety of coils to design their pots. Using scoring and slipping methods, students adhered coils together to create unique pottery. Upon firing, students glazed their pieces with either a normal glaze (glaze is liquid glass!), or a speckled gem glaze, which added even more variety, a principle of design! 

First graders are studying CONTINENTS in their EXSTREAM courses! After discussing the continent of Asia, we discuss India and their celebratory tradition for henna, or mehndi. Many students have had henna or seen it in person and are excited to share their experiences! 

Upon looking at several examples of henna, a discussion on how it is applied and when/why, students trace around their hand, cut, and add henna-specific designs. Their immaculate drawings are incredible!

Kindergarten, First, and Second graders studied the origin of clay and explored the medium by making coils, pinch pots, spoons, hearts, and stars.

Our first and second graders created hearts inspired by "something I love," which was stamped into the coil heart with letter stamps.